About Rookie

Rookie is an online magazine and book series for teenagers. Each month, a different editorial theme drives the writing, photography, and artwork that we publish. Learn more about us here, and find out how to submit your work here!

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Why is it important to you to have other outlets like writing or drawing?

I don’t know what it is. I’ve always kept and collected things, and I’ve always been interested in the idea of diaries. I must have 10 different personal diaries: I keep a dream diary, I keep a yoga diary, I keep diaries on people that I’ve met and things that they’ve said to me, advice that they’ve given me. I keep an acting journal. I keep collage books. They’ve given me a place where I can try to figure myself out, because those kinds of ideas feel too personal to put out into the public or even discuss with anyone else. It allows me to get things out of my head and work them out in a way that feels safe, which is really helpful. I can kind of play around with things.

That’s been a big part of what school has meant to me. I got famous very young, and [college] gave me a safe zone where I could figure things out without people projecting onto me their ideas of what they wanted me to be, or thought I should be.

Journaling is nice because no matter how hard something is to go through, you at least MADE something out of it, which is really satisfying.

Also, I think your thoughts are so much less frightening when they’re tangible, when you can see them on a page in front of you. And it’s less narcissistic and egotistical than releasing your own autobiography, which would be my worst nightmare. [Laughs] Maybe one day I would write some things out, but not for a while. Not for a while.

Though even when it is a private thing and there are no judgments, a blank page is still so intimidating. It makes me scared to even start.

I had an art teacher who said that there is nothing scarier than a blank canvas. Before he gave us our canvases he’d scribble or splash paint on them so that we didn’t have to work off this intimidating white space. I think there’s something to be said for that.

Richard Burton’s diaries came out [in December], and Elizabeth Taylor used to go through them and would write things in them—so he obviously wrote his diaries with the idea that people would read them, that they would be public. My diaries are very much written as if no one would ever read them. I have, actually… [She gets up and goes to another room, and returns with a stack of books and journals] This is what college does to you. You’re terrified of reading a book without a pen in your hand, because time is so much of the essence that the first time you read something, if you have an idea, you have to write it down, because there’s gonna be no time for you to read it again. So all of my books look like this. [Leafs through a book—every page is filled with notes and marginalia.] This is a really nice book that my dad got me in Venice. Everyone I’ve ever met who said anything interesting, everything is in here. Just so I remember these things.

Oh my god! You are so smart to keep all this!

Thank you! [Turning pages] So, I have Helena Bonham Carter, and this is Karl Lagerfeld—this is when he shot me for Crash magazine and I went to his studio in Paris. His studio is covered in books. He gave me two books which he illustrated, and he suggested that I should do that one day. He said so many funny things. This is Tim Burton. This is one of my acting teachers from RADA [the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]…Jean Shrimpton…this is David Yates. Rupert [Grint] has a page. [Laughs] James Franco has a page. My mother has a page. I just get terrified I’ll forget things! [Finding a card in the stack of books] Oh, this is so cool—this is from the president!

No!

[Laughs] Yeah! That’s their dog! Isn’t that insane?

Totally! Is acting like journaling for you, like you’re figuring yourself out through a role?

Absolutely. But it’s actually through the characters are are the least like me I figure out the most about myself. Playing Nicki in The Bling Ring gave me such insight into myself—parts of me that I’m uncomfortable with, or that I don’t like. I realized through playing her that I can be so judgmental in a way that I wish I wasn’t. And I found things that I had in common with her, which was difficult as well.

The fact that you experience that feeling of insecurity that we talked about before, no matter how successful you may seem to be—that probably helped you show us the insecurity in Sam [in the movie]. Like, there’s this thing Jodie Foster wrote where she said that as an actor you’re supposed to expose your vulnerabilities and the parts of yourself that you don’t like… I’m sorry, I just did my least favorite interview thing, where someone just says something instead of asking a question.

No, no! It’s so much nicer when it’s a conversation. If you just do the whole question/answer thing I end up repeating myself so much. When the other person offers new angles on things, you can hopefully say something new. But yeah, it’s funny: The day that I shot the scene where I had my first kiss with Logan, I just wasn’t feeling good—I was feeling really tired at that point, and that was my most important scene in the movie. I remember begging Stephen, “Please could we do it another day, I just don’t feel like I can do it today.” And he did this really cool thing where he drew a line outside my trailer and was like, “When you step over that line, that’s when you have to let go of everything, let go of you—you have to just go and be present as Sam, and leave everything else that you’re worrying about behind.”

Stephen has been such a great mentor to me. He was actually here last night, helping me with my homework. He came over and I made him dinner, and he helped me figure out what I was gonna write my thesis on. He’s just the best. He’s someone who walked into my life and just got me. I remember when I first met him—he came to my hotel, and within 20 minutes he had insights about me that I don’t even know if my family has. That was what made me believe that I could play Sam. Because I get worried sometimes—I get crazy. After Harry Potter I didn’t feel very confident in myself as an actor. It’s lucky that I’ve improved that now, but back then I needed someone to believe in me, and Stephen really did.

I just don’t know what to do right now. I felt like I’ve just met Emma Watson face to face.

Ibe.May 27th, 20133:41 PM

Zomg zomg zomg I can’t handle this. And Tavi seriously you should watch the movies/read the books. I was also one of these four people till I watched them two weeks ago. And now I am such a fangirl and I have this list with all the locations where they filmed it and it is basically my bucket list right now and I watched every set interview on youtube. You will love it!

Yay! Emma Watson! She has been my heroine since she began in the Harry Potter films. She is so confident and comfortable in herself, and is a great role model for all girls growing up and figuring themselves out.

Thank you Rookie for this amazing interview! Tavi, you don’t know how jealous I am of you right now…

toespointedheadheldhigh.wordpress.com

whateverMay 27th, 20134:00 PM

OH MY GOD I AM DYING THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER READ ZOMGGMGMMGGGGG . thank you so much

I haven’t read it completely yet BUT EMMA WATSON ON ROOKIE OOOOOOHMYGOD!! SHE’S THE BEST!!! I can’t handle this. ♥♥♥

sophiethewitchMay 27th, 20134:05 PM

I know I keep asking questions here that don’t have to do with the post, and I’m really sorry, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I have to suggest it: have you tried to get an interview with Courtney Love? Because you seem to be having a lot of success with getting interviews with really awesome, and also quite famous and busy people, and, I mean, COURTNEY LOVE.

katiMay 28th, 201312:03 AM

PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASEEEEE!!!!

whateverMay 28th, 20139:52 AM

YE SYE YSYYEYSYSYEYESYESYEYEYSYSYSYSYESSSSS

StellaBerlinMay 28th, 201310:00 PM

um please please please please please

wishfulwandererMay 27th, 20134:11 PM

When I was reading this, my dad flipped through the channels and started watching Harry Potter…
Emma Watson and who she actually is (revealed in this interview) vs. the character of Hermione that we’ve all come to know her as is mind blowing.

RhiaSnapeMay 27th, 20134:16 PM

aghgjguhsrildkjnmgdiukfjm I love emma so fricking much. She’s so real and her intelligence and originality just shines through her answers – I only wish that I could see the interview and hear her speak the words! I admit, that I am one of those huge, annoying harry potter fans who always related to Hermione as a child – but I really respect how Emma’s creating herself as an actress with this new light and these new idea’s and I’m so excited to see everything that she does in the future.

eliselbvMay 27th, 20134:21 PM

AAAAhhh this is just the exact definition of perfection !I admire Emma Watson & Tavi so much this is unreal!

WitchesRaveMay 27th, 20134:23 PM

AHH!! you are such an inspirational creative and educated young women!!! Thank you soo much for being in the film industry! Cant wait to see the movie…

witches-rave.tumblr.com

ellamccartneyMay 27th, 20134:25 PM

YESSSSSSSSSSSSYESSSYESSSSSSSS♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ she is great

MissyMay 27th, 20134:26 PM

This interview is amazing. I was absolutely giddy when I saw that Tavi had done an interview with Emma Watson, and it totally lived up to all my expectations. I have always looked up to Emma Watson, starting with the Harry Potter series and through her work with fashion and photo shoots and Perks. She’s amazing, honest, inspiring, and so talented, and I can’t wait to see more of her work.

MattieMay 27th, 20134:27 PM

Your best interview yet. I’m definitely going to start keeping more journals because I feel like it will help me sort out my thoughts (and my life). I also really liked when you talked about introverts and extraverts which made me wonder what I am. I think I’m a mixture, is that possible? I also really liked how you two talked about creative messages and it made me think about what mine is, is it possible to have more than one, or is it better to keep a centered mindset? Thank you for this article, it really made me reevaluate a lot of things. I needed this. xx

Izzy FordhamMay 28th, 20137:27 AM

Yeah, in the book Emma mentions (which is also amazing, read it), it says there are ambiverts :)

MattieMay 28th, 20134:52 PM

Oooh thank you!

eliza dolittleMay 27th, 20134:30 PM

holy crap balls tavi! this interview is absolutely fantastic and just feels like a casual and interesting conversation aaaah i hope you enjoyed it!!

her research project about love sounds so cool holy frick

mangachicMay 27th, 20134:31 PM

I BASICALLY STOPPED BREATHING FOR FIVE MINUTES AND STARTED TEARING UP
TAVI AND EMMA WATSON IN THE SAME ROOM TALKING
This was so beautiful and relatable, and it’s so honest and lovely to hear that she’s an introvert.

GabbyCatMay 27th, 20134:38 PM

This may just be my favorite article ever published on Rookie, and its definitly the most thoughtful interview I’ve ever read. Emma Watson is just so honest and articulate, it makes me want to be her best friend. Thank you so much, Rookie.

SefeMay 27th, 20134:42 PM

The best part about this is that you two really did seem like you were having an actual conversation about life! I love the bit about the extraverts. Also, its wonderful to get some insight into the perspectives of people I admire and read such interesting interviews, so thank you Rookie :).

Agdhdhej I can’t believe this exists. I loved hearing about her journaling, and how cool and introverted she is.

JasmineMay 27th, 20134:50 PM

This is perfect <3

HollieLillianMay 27th, 20135:21 PM

I saw that she followed you [tavi] on twitter the other day and i was like oh that is cool, & now it makes sense! I love that this gives such an insight to her, I’ve watched/read 1000000 interviews of hers before and this is by far the most interesting! When she mentioned the book with things people have said to her I knew she was going to mention helena bonham carter (she is my heroine). It must be so awesome to meet people like that.

eremiomaniaMay 27th, 20135:25 PM

Emma Watson is even more amazing than I thought she was! I’m very surprised to hear she is an introvert, considering her fame at such a young age. It’s actually very encouraging.

sixthgunMay 27th, 20135:49 PM

Ahh, I can’t believe it! Emma is brilliant, thank you for this interview! I hope it makes to yearbook year two, it’s definitely one of my favourites :D Ha, it’s very nice to see that she’s just like one of us, just a girl figuring herself out. Fame, man. Such a scary shit. It totally makes us forget that she’s only 23 and a HUMAN BEING. And what a beautiful and interesting human being! haha

Chloe22May 27th, 20136:04 PM

I read the third book and watched the movies. My mom was obsessed with them when they came out, and she tried to get me to read them. I was a lot younger, so they seemed daunting to me! And now I feel like I’d be seen as being ”too late to the fandom”. Maybe I should just read the darned books!

irismonsterMay 27th, 20136:07 PM

Urgh, this just makes me want to be best friends with both of you.

IsabelllaMay 27th, 20136:08 PM

ahhhh so happy with this article! Thank you Tavi and thank you Emma!

KatGirlMay 27th, 20136:26 PM

awesome that she is so famous and an introvert like me <3

theycallmebonesMay 27th, 20136:28 PM

her last three responses were so refreshing. i’m quite an introverted person and have always thought something was wrong with me because i never wanted to do some of the things my friends do. i’m glad i’m not the only one!

LeavesThatAreGreenMay 27th, 20136:36 PM

This is amazing. It is such a nice interview and I love how it’s partially more like a conversation than an actual interview. Emma Watson seems like a really interesting and intelligent person.

“Blue” is one of my favourite records of all times. Just wow.

catpower44May 27th, 20137:04 PM

Oh my god she is so awesome! She’s such an inspiration, I love how she keeps journals! I can barely keep one going, let alone ten! I want to see Bling Ring so much, it sounds so interesting and cool! Emma, you are super amazing, and I loved you so much in Perks of Being a Wallflower, I will admit to crying multiple times!

azultardisMay 27th, 20137:16 PM

wow great interview,Emma and Tavi are such an inspiration for me, and this interview just confirms how great they are, how hard is for everyone grow up and find yourself even when you’re 22 or 23 and you’re still figuring everything out!

AbbyMay 27th, 20138:15 PM

OMG YESSSS. Also I was really proud of myself when I had already read that high school article!

stellariverMay 27th, 20138:48 PM

SO AMAZING i love Emma Watson so much, she has been my idol since forever. cannot wait for bling ring!! Pretty Wild is my worst guilty pleasure, I feel like a horrible person but it makes me so happy.

umiMay 27th, 201310:30 PM

if it makes you happy,you shouldnt feel guilty about it #goddesslife

WisteriaMay 27th, 201310:15 PM

OMG How

MilalaMay 27th, 201310:28 PM

you both are so ugh everything that is great in the world, awesome interview

umiMay 27th, 201310:29 PM

emm A WATSON SKAKDHDHK i’m justg??

she is amazing just amazing and i love her forever

goodgodlemonMay 27th, 201310:31 PM

I’m having trouble articulating why this interview is so amazing but I feel completely rejuvenated after reading it and just kind of like my faith in humanity is restored . . . Thank you for being such intelligent, introspective people, Tavi and Emma. This is by far the most interesting and honest celebrity interview I’ve ever read.

chloegreyMay 28th, 20132:38 AM

this though, my thoughts exactly :)

BreenMay 27th, 201310:53 PM

Two of my favorite people! Ever!
I love this interview so much. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever. Thank you so much for doing this. Emma seems so normal. Seriously, I want to be best friends with her.

madame_addieMay 27th, 201311:10 PM

oh my god this is too awesome <3

ZeldaMay 27th, 201311:38 PM

This is the most MAGICAL thing I have ever read!!!!!!!!!!! J’adore :)

A Beautiful TragicMay 28th, 201312:02 AM

I’m freaking out like there’s no tomorrow. I should be using caps lock but I am not because I forgot how to feel. EMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

katiMay 28th, 201312:04 AM

This was amazing!

Jen L.May 28th, 201312:09 AM

I feel like I could string an entire metaphorical neckless out of all the pearls of wisdom in this article!

… Aaand I need sleep.

Haha thank you Tavi!

alesssurpriseMay 28th, 201312:16 AM

tAVI
This is. the. best
♥

rhymeswithcatMay 28th, 201312:17 AM

I’ve never read the HP books/watched the movies either–for the exact same reason. I’ve always felt so alone in the world about the fact until now, Tavi. I mean, my college has a quidditch team instead of football for crying out loud! So much opportunity for feeling left out.

HunterMay 28th, 20132:39 AM

OK. Interview Alexis next.

chloegreyMay 28th, 20132:42 AM

wow um the best thing about this though is it is such an insightful interview?! I mean Tavi I really enjoy reading the interviews here but I particularly enjoy this because it’s just two really wise young ladies talking about things that everyone goes through but also things that definitely not everyone goes through and THAT is really, really interesting. I dunno this whole interview was just such a pleasure to read how lovely

Angeline .May 28th, 20133:17 AM

Oh gosh, this is so incredible and lovely and wonderful and aahhhh… I am simply in awe right now. I didn’t think I could love Emma Watson more but this interview just established that I can.

Her journals sound amazing and so fascinating. I can relate to her feelings about them and identities.

And I love hearing that she’s an introvert. I’ve really embraced my introversion over the last couple of months but there’s definitely been times when I wished I could just be more like my cousins or friends. There’s definitely nothing wrong with being an extrovert, it’s just really hard sometimes when introverts are constantly being looked over. Sometimes I like to just listen but high school is hard when you have to speak up every single time to be seen and heard. And I just went off on a tangent…

Anyway, to wrap things up, what an incredible interview and such an honour to read. Thanks Tavi!

:)

monalisaMay 28th, 20135:03 AM

I’m just so happy that two amazing people sat down and had a conversation about amazing interesting wonderful cool things with cats and banana bread and you respect and admire each other and you are both amazing people I respect and admire so much and to think that this wonderful thing occurred makes me so happy and GAHGAHZOMG

thankyou so so so so so so much

apapillon.blogspot.com

marie-fantometteMay 28th, 20136:03 AM

This is perfect. Tavi, you are a great interviewer. I teared up a little while reading. The two of you are so thoughtful and so humble and so very interesting, and … is there a way for me to say that I look forward to the things you will be doing in the future without sounding like a raving fan who adds to the pressure of celebrity that you guys have been discussing in this interview?

Thank you so much for this.

NomaliMay 28th, 20136:41 AM

I LOVE her! I have Perks and Bling Ring on my must-watch list. Really great interview, Tavi. It’s given me an idea!

SHE BAKES BANANA BREAD!!!

LillypodMay 28th, 20136:49 AM

I loved Quiet by Susan Cain. amazing awesome book. Great interview.

DickMay 28th, 20137:10 AM

I respect and love Emma on whole other level.

Tara A.May 28th, 20137:42 AM

THIS IS AMAZING OMG I literally screeched when I saw that Rookie had done an interview with Emma Watson. This is an absolutely amazing interview. I especially love the bits about her journals, they sound so interesting!

ZoeMay 28th, 20137:48 AM

She is so insanely wonderful. I love this interview. It’s so awesome when a genuinely interesting and intelligent person interviews another genuinely interesting and intelligent person. Lovelovelove

EmmieMay 28th, 20137:59 AM

I love her even more now! Such a good interview- she seems so intelligent and friendly! xx

sissiLOLMay 28th, 20138:17 AM

OMG!!!!!
Emma Watson and Tavi in one article! I LOVE it! :-DDDD
Stylebruch.blogspot.de

trasselMay 28th, 20138:59 AM

Once I wrote to Emma Watson. I drew a picture of her and wrote a letter. I don’t really know why I did it but months later when I had already forgotten about all of it I got a reply of sorts with a standard letter and a signed photograph. That was cool.

neenbeanMay 28th, 201311:53 AM

One of the best interviews on Rookie so far! Emma Watson is so likeable and actually pretty damn talented, props to her for everything she does <3

allydoubleyouMay 28th, 201311:59 AM

Okay, Tavi, I feel like I shouldn’t give you advice because you’re much, like, cooler than I’ll ever be, but I just really need to say this. You really need to devote a lot of your gap year to reading Harry Potter. There is a reason everyone loves it and it’s because HP will CHANGE YOUR LIFE it’s so gooooooooood and funny and heartwarming and just, like, social justicey and stuff okay bye.

MaddyMay 28th, 201310:08 PM

She’s taking a gap year? How do you know? Between HS and college? Tavi, is this a thing? If that is a thing, good idea you on that thing.

Tavi GevinsonMay 28th, 201310:13 PM

troooo

MaddyMay 28th, 201310:17 PM

thas kool
i think i need a gap year between now and my research paper’s due date

NomaliJune 5th, 20137:11 AM

And Potterheads are really great people this made me want to cry and start a secret club for good the first time I saw it. Also, Mean Girls + HP Mash-ups are about the best things about the internet.

Erin.May 28th, 201312:39 PM

Awesome interview. One of the (many) great things about Emma is that she’s a smart and reflective person in real life and she’s able to bring these aspects of herself in her acting. You can see that she really thinks about the parts that she’s playing, and that she works very hard to give the best possible performance. Like, she legitimately cares about acting and movies as a craft, an art form, and not just basic entertainment. I hope I’m not sounding too cheesy or robotic or something in this comment. Me and Emma are the same age, so I kinda feel like we grew up together, in some weird way. Like I’ve been rooting for her like a friend would. (But not in a stalker-ish way.) Now I’m rambling. Anyways, Emma is awesome.

abby111039May 28th, 201312:52 PM

This is awesome. Emma is just so wonderful as a person and as an actress, and I felt this interview reflected that all, while still being genuine and engaging. Lovely.

luanda jaburMay 28th, 20131:49 PM

First, amazing interview Tavi, I think Emma puts it really well when comparing you to Lena, I feel the same way, that some people discover soon who they are and can do amazing jobs with the confidence that it brings (not that in other areas of your life it’s all roses, but professionally I mean).
A funny thing is that I was born same day as Emma, read the Potter’s books and loved them, loved Perks, but never identify with her till now. I can relate in so many ways that I’m grateful that I can read this in Rookie, again, thanks… This magazine means a lot to my personal growth.

snow whiteMay 28th, 20131:55 PM

It’s so awesome to read articles about young movie actresses we can all relate to. Emma is definitely doing something right! You can definitely tell this interview is so raw and real. Really hits you that actresses are real people like us with different struggles and obstacles. They all don’t live that glamorous and worry free life we think they all do! Also great job Tavi for an excellent and real interview!

Prince Repeller

cloudintheskyMay 28th, 20132:11 PM

SO MUCH LOVE! ♥

rubyMay 28th, 20132:37 PM

Such a good interview!
But…seriously Tavi, read the Harry Potter books! And watch the films!!! There is a Harry-shaped hole in your life!

toveMay 28th, 20133:03 PM

Okay, so I can’t read it right now because I have a huge essay to write for tomorrow but OH MY GOD. I’m not going to say anything new here: I love, love, love Emma for being such a wonderful inspiration for young women. She’s been a part of my childhood. Now I can’t wait to see her grow.

noxMay 28th, 20133:11 PM

This is unreal. Thank you so much for this Tavi, I feel like I know Emma a lot better. She is an inspiration, I love the way she holds herself.

loonylizzyMay 28th, 20133:57 PM

ok i’m literally crying. i admire emma watson so much, and this is the first interview with her that i’ve read that has really made me realize that there is so much more to her than harry potter. she’s one of the most talented and genuine actresses out there. i didn’t think my admiration for emma could grow any more, but it just doubled! thank you so much for this article, it was incredibly inspiring and beautiful.

HollyMargaretMay 28th, 20134:29 PM

WOAH!!
EMMA WATSON!!!
Tavi, this is amazing!!! :-)

MaddyMay 28th, 20134:49 PM

Somehow I had a suspicion that Emma Watson would be a writer. And I have no doubt that she/you is/are really good. Hmm maybe I should apply to Brown now? But downtown Providence…

AliceSMay 28th, 20136:02 PM

I thought I couldn’t love Emma more.

Sophie ❤May 28th, 20136:46 PM

OMG ROOKIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Emma was always one of my icons, but now I really can’t say that Emma doesn’t inspire me more than ever. I loved this post, and it was by far the best in a while!

Sophie

galaxiaMay 28th, 20137:32 PM

omg i love her

galaxiaMay 28th, 20137:34 PM

and Tavi, you need to see HP! you’re gonna love it trust me i didn’t really mind about it until the las movie came out and now i love it.

laughinguacamoleMay 28th, 201311:53 PM

Wow. Emma Watson is pretty much just awesome. She’s such a badass. I’m sort of in love with this interview. I’m so excited, someday I’ll just come across a random poem or piece of art or something and it’s GOING TO BE UNDERCOVER EMMA WATSON. I’m ready.

ella dlMay 29th, 20132:13 AM

My love for Emma just grew exponentially after reading this article. So much love and respect for her and what she believes in.

diniada13May 29th, 20136:20 AM

2 OF MY FAV PEOPLE IN THE WORLD IN ONE ARTICLE THIS IS TOO MUCH I CAN’T HANDLE IT AHH

Tavi you should totally read Harry Potter. I’m not gonna go on about how life-changing it is because it’s different for everyone, but it’s a really great book. It brings up childhood memories for me, since I was little it was my dream to get my Hogwarts letter and do magic stuffs. The characters grow along with the books and you get attached to them. Also peer pressure is great.

And this is rather out of topic but Stephen Chbosky:

Diana MoraisMay 29th, 20138:35 AM

I was so absorbed! Brilliant article! xx

Cosmo BeatrixMay 29th, 20139:37 AM

It’c comforting to know that the feeling of closing up and being numb as if you’re not a genuine person is felt by hugely successful women too.

The journelling sounds like a brilliant way to realising and projecting yourself in order to really find who that person is.
Even though I don’t know whether there is or ever will be a certain person waiting to come out and be me. It’s weird how we’re constantly waiting for this to happen and pushing it through different ways.

Thank you for this, and i agree with Emma it’s really great to have in like almost a conversation where both people, who are equally as interesting, bounce off one another.

The image to me . . . is gold does exist, and for ‘gold’ say ‘truth’, say ‘the answer’, say ‘love’, say ‘justice’, say anything: it does exist. But the only way in this world you can achieve gold is to be incredibly intelligent about geology, to learn what mankind has learnt, to learn where it might lie, and then break your fingers and blister your skin in digging for it, and then sweat and sweat in a forge, and smelt it. And you will have gold, but you will never have it by closing your eyes and wishing for it. No angel will lean out of the bar of heaven and drop down sheets of gold for you. And we live in a society in which people believe they will. But the real answer, that there is gold, and that all you have to do is try and understand the world enough to get down into the muck of it, and you will have it, you will have truth, you will have justice, you will have understanding, but not by wishing for it.

Tavi GevinsonMay 30th, 20132:42 AM

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing that.

HaverchuckForPresidentMay 29th, 20134:06 PM

Really interesting interview :) I’ve only ever heard celebrities boasting about how ‘normal’ they are rather than talking about the struggle to stay ‘normal’ for themselves and their friends. I think that it can be easy to overlook the fact that often celebrities like Emma Watson don’t really have a choice when it comes to paparazzi, etc

JadedRomanticMay 30th, 20132:53 AM

A british newspaper named “The Sun” used quotes from this article! The sun is a shit tabloid and the quality of their journalism is sub par at best, but it’s still pretty cool that they used quotes from this interview. Idk if that happens often or not, but it seemed pretty cool to me

Here’s the link:

CharlieTwonearMay 30th, 20134:30 AM

Wow. I just couldn’t resist saying . something about this wonderful article! I am so HAPPY that this happened and that I was priveledged enough for it to grace my eyes. Not to mention, being the 100th comment is strangely tempting for me because of physchological reasons that I couldn’t possibly begin to describe or even fully understand.

It’s been a while since I’ve read much of anything. At least, in it’s entirity. Save for a few articles here and there. Ironically, but not surprisingly, my lack of reading dates as far back as the last Harry Potter novel by J. K. Rowling. Ahah, listen to me … Of course you all know who wrote the amazing story that made ALL OF THIS possible! Obviously it wasn’t the last thing I’d ever read.. Or.. Perhaps it was? My memory seems to be a little hazy. It would be tough to put my memories in chronological order… Emma is blessed in that sense… A lot of her life has been recorded from such a very young age. Whereas I, like most others, do not have much record of my life events. It’s almost as though to the vast majority of the world, It’s e never existed at all! A few photographs. Well, basic schoolwork, I suppose… Which well over 90% of would prove to be boring, uninteresting documents. Forgettable things. Emma shouldn’t feel too bad (about constantly being in the “public eye.”) She is opposite. Unforgettable. She is infinite! Haha! :)

Oh no… Prolonged writing time… I fear 100th comment is lost by now!
Speaking of tangents… Haha, I almost forgot what I was trying to say entirely!

Oh yes:
Romantic Comedy?

CHALLENGE. ACCEPTED.
;)

CharlieTwonearMay 30th, 20134:36 AM

Damn, that was supposed to be under the display name ‘CharlieTwonear’ … But … But … I see my real name! Oh no! I have been vanquished. Ah well. Tomfoolery and trickery if you ask me. Either way, I stand by what I said. Haha. *runs away*

CynthiaMay 30th, 20135:03 AM

This was so so brilliant! And when I saw a post about this in my Facebook newsfeed 3 days ago it made me like the happiest person ever! (and it took me 3 days to read it because I had TWO assignments due this week and I started reading it on Tuesday (I stayed home because I have an awful cold) and I had an assignment due that day but I got a doctors certificate so I got away with handing it in in Wednesday and then I had an assignment due today and I went to sleep just a bit before 4:00am. School sucks with all these assessments)

But the point is that I just finished reading this and it was truly amazing, and it’s so awesome that you got to meet EMMA WATSON. Ravi you really must read the Harry Potter books, it’ll be the best decision you’ll ever make and soon enough you’ll be a PotterHead and soon enough you’ll be joining other British fandoms *cough*likeDoctorWho*cough* and you won’t ever regret joining the Harry Potter fandom. Sirius-ly, youve got to start reading the Harry Potter books as soon as possible- Harry, Ron and Hermoine will soon become your best friends, and that will be brilliant. :D

crapbagMay 30th, 20135:19 AM

Wow for about 0.3345 of a second I was able to see Emma as like a ‘normal’ girl, like someone who goes to university ..like me! It’s actually so incredibly hard to really understand that famous people are just normal human beings. Like I can’t get my head around it. But for a second there I did! I saw a glimpse of it, before it unwrapped itself from ma brain cords there and I slipped back into ignorance. I wrote about her in article I had to do for school a couple years back but was pretty indifferent toward her. But she seems really genuine, it’s nice.

moonflowerMay 30th, 201311:52 AM

Wow, this got me thinking about going back into the folder I made last year, its titled ‘Sophia Coppola’ and its basically a load of notes on ideas I had for scenes for films and what songs would play along it, haha.

moonflowerMay 30th, 201311:53 AM

sofia goddammit

vvk97May 30th, 20131:17 PM

MY two favorite people in one article! ahh! After this interview, I appreciate Emma even more than I already did. Her vision is brilliant!

MabelEnchantedMay 30th, 20136:22 PM

Emma Watson has never been my favourite person. I always found her to be phony. However, this interview made me realise how wrong I was! She’s so clever and down to earth. I can’t wait to see The Bling Ring, not only for Emma’s performance, but also for Sofia Coppola.

spudzineMay 31st, 201312:49 AM

This is probably one of the best things Rookie has ever done. I am serious. I have always loved Emma Watson, and I have always been disappointed in the fact that I knew nothing about her. Reading this interview, I felt like she was TALKING to me, and she’s such a down to earth person and I just…UGH I LOVE HER SO MUCH MORE NOW.

Filia-ZissyMay 31st, 20138:42 AM

I haven’t been an actor-crazy person until lately and therefore I know very little about the person who gave my childhood heroine a face.
It was really fascinatingto read this interview because most things I read about Emma were ABOUT her and what she’s doing and not her thoughts and feelings. Like some others have already said: it felt like she talked to us in person. It didn’t feel like you’re reading an interview with a star at all. Just an interview with a really fascinating person. And I loved that is was not a bit about Harry Potter, which even sounds weird for me right now that I’m writing it, because I’m such a Potterhead. I loved it, because it was about Perks which was just the right book at the right time for me. That Emma keeps so many diaries is so cool because I have a tendancy in doing that too. And I liked what she said about extraverts. All “so damn relatable”…

lauraunicornsMay 31st, 20138:25 PM

I honestly think that if I could pick any living people to have tea with and talk to for a day, it would be these two. And Rookie interviews are always so genuine – I feel almost like I’ve talked to the person after reading them. They’re so real and relatable, as is the lovely Emma Watson!

lauraunicorns.tumblr.com

YsabelleJune 3rd, 20132:12 AM

After reading the entire thing, it was thoroughly refreshing to view Emma as a person entirely different than what she portrays as an actress. I quite liked seeing things in her perspective and knowing that she’s complex and really committed to her craft.

Also, I have to commend you for this is probably the most honest interview I have read in my entire life. As an aspiring journalist, I admire that it has somehow turned into a conversation of sorts — intellectual and stimulating — between two inspiring people.

Serena HeadJune 3rd, 20132:39 AM

Emma Watson!!? I can’t contain my excitement….

JoyceJune 9th, 201310:06 AM

Tavi, we trust you on this! please PLEASE read the HP series now! fadhwkjhd

agirlawhirlJune 18th, 20136:08 PM

This was an excellent article and with a crisp, fresh sense of genuine honesty. Truly a refreshing read.
And, I think it is great that you had not yet read/watched the Harry Potter books/movies yet, since that might have limited your perspective of Emma. As good as Ms. Watson was in the HP films, it is with her post-HP projects that she has blossomed creatively. I feel that Emma Watson is finally coming into her own as an a creative force and dramatic actress–outside of the role of Hermione Granger.

RedInkJune 27th, 20136:52 PM

I thought I was the only one who hasn’t read or watched The Harry Potter Series!

runitssJuly 8th, 201311:30 PM

I idolize Emma Watson! She’s my number one girl-crush & I’ve been following her career ever since the end of Harry Potter. This is such a great interview. It shows a side of her that isn’t usually captured in other interviews. Tavi, you’re super-rad/the bomb/totally wicked mad awesome & you handled this perfectly. Oh my god. EEEEK! Love.

HedwigJuly 19th, 20139:46 PM

I’ve been so entranced by Emma and her interviews for so many years. It is so nice to hear her being so open and smart and beautiful.

ElvenoelleJuly 21st, 20131:31 PM

What a nice article to begin a Sunday afternoon. It is really refreshing to read a sort of interview that isn’t forced, and an honestly inspiring one at that. It helps to remind one that everybody goes through the same insecurities to some extent. It helped to answer some questions that have been going through my mind. Thank you, and if you get the chance, please thank Emma for me.

(Also, looking up the Blue album, it is very nice and has provided calming back music to my reading.)

dessertstealerAugust 12th, 201311:47 AM

Emma Watson is a good role model for smart girls. I look forward to seeing her in the Bling Ring.

unicorninapartyhatAugust 28th, 20131:29 AM

Wow, Emma Watson is immensely cool.

sincerely artistaSeptember 7th, 201311:32 PM

OMG! Emma Watson is SO COOL! She is so normal and cool and SMART OMG! (Coming from a fan girl who read all 7 HPs in 2 weeks and seen all 8 movies, read the Perks book and saw the movie and is SO looking forward to The Bling Ring!)
This article is AMAZING! At first when I saw the article I couldn’t believe it was true, but it WAS!! I am gonna send this to nearly everybody I know b/c this is AMAZING!

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